WIDE-OPEN OFFSHORE FISHING JUST OUT OF RANGE OF CELLPHONE

Bluefin, yellowtail and dorado showing up in big numbers and close as one-day range.

By Good weather and some terrific fishing should be on deck this week for offshore boats out of San Diego, with fishing close enough for overnight or six-passenger boats on three-quarter-day runs to rea12:01 a.m.July 23, 2013Updated8:46 p.m.July 22, 2013

The Sea Adventure II out of H&M Landing called in early Monday morning with a report of excellent fishing in one-day range of Point Loma.

By midday they had 100 yellowtail, three bluefin tuna and two dorado. The Prowler out of Fisherman’s Landing had limits of yellowtail, 14 bluefin tuna and 15 dorado on a 1½-day run.

The American Angler reported a 135-pound bluefin caught at 50 miles from San Diego on a trip last week. That’s why captains are telling anglers to be sure and take some heavy gear, with one rig spooled with at least 40-pound test line.

The Endeavor at Seaforth Sportfishing had 70 bluefin tuna, 90 yellowtail and 5 dorado on a 1½-day run.

El Gato Dos, also out of Seaforth, got into some yellowtail and dorado “just outside of cellphone service,” out of Mission Bay.

Notes

• The 11th annual IGFA Free Young Anglers Tournament is Aug. 3 at Shelter Island Pier. This is a great event for kids and includes lunch and a raffle. It’s hosted by the San Diego Sportfishing Council and the International Game Fish Association. Call (619) 234-8793 or visit
www.sportfishing.org for details.

•On the freshwater front, the 15th annual El Cajon Ford San Diego Team Open is coming up fast. The two-day, two-lake tournament is Aug. 12-13 at El Capitan and Lower Otay, with the field split and lakes alternated each day. Entry fee is a reasonable $400 per team for the best bass tournament held in Southern California. Top prize is $5,000, with $1,000 for heaviest bass and $1,000 for top stringer. Side pots also available. Entry fee covers insurance, gate fees, entry into the Paul Leader Bonus Pool, barbecue and raffle. Call John Cassidy at Angler’s Arsenal at (619) 463-4050.

• Santee Lakes will hold another Thursday night fishing event this week, with Lakes 1-4 open from 5-11:30 p.m.

• Lake Cuyamaca has been very good for bass, catfish and crappie, with an occasional trout landed. The popular All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry has been expanded from Friday night to include Saturday night at the Lake Cuyamaca Restaurant.

• Lake Jennings will get its “wiper” bass next week in the form of a stocking of 1,000 pounds.

• On the hunting front, dove season opens Sept. 1. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is having a dove hunt Sept. 7, 6 a.m. to sunset at the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve. It’s limited to 20 hunters. To apply for the lottery, go to
dfg.ca.gov/hunting. If you need more information, call Nick Bechtel at (805) 965-3059. Deadline is Aug. 14 for applications.